Punk emerged in the mid-1970s as a rebellious and countercultural movement characterised by its distinctive music, fashion, and ethos. Punk music, spearheaded by bands like the Sex Pistols and The Clash, was fast, loud, and aggressive, often featuring politically charged lyrics that expressed dissatisfaction with the status quo.

One of the most striking aspects of the punk subculture was its fashion. It was a deliberate rejection of mainstream style, designed to shock and provoke. Ripped clothing, safety pins, spiked hair, and leather jackets were the iconic elements of this fashion, each one a statement of defiance and nonconformity. Punk also embodied a DIY ethic, encouraging individuals to create their own music, zines, and fashion. This DIY spirit was a reaction against the commercialisation of culture and emphasised creativity and independence.

The punk movement in the UK was not just a musical genre but a cultural phenomenon that influenced art, literature, and social attitudes, leaving a lasting impact on subsequent generations and various other subcultures.

Browse our selection of The People’s Archive documenting Punk in the UK, from the original punks of the late 1970s, through to those who made it a way of life.